Is Joel Embiid playing tonight vs the Charlotte Hornets? Latest update on the Philadelphia 76ers star's injury report (March 28, 2026)

The Philadelphia 76ers go into their game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 28 with a big boost. Joel Embiid is available and will play, which is a major positive for the team in this key matchup.

He is not listed on the injury report, which confirms he is fully fit after his recent injury.This update comes at an important time in the season. Both teams are close in the Eastern Conference standings, and games like this can affect playoff spots. With Embiid back, the Sixers get back their main scorer and a strong presence in defense.

Joel Embiid’s Injury Recovery and Recent Return vs Charlotte Hornets (March 28, 2026)

Embiid was out due to a right oblique strain, which caused him to miss several games earlier this month.

He did not play in matchups against the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder during that period.He returned on March 25 against the Chicago Bulls and made an immediate impact. In that game, Embiid scored 35 points in 28 minutes. He shot 12-of-17 from the field and 3-of-3 from three-point range. He also added 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block. His performance helped the Sixers win the game 157-137.That game showed he is back in form and ready to play regular minutes again.

What His Presence Means for the Sixers vs Hornets Matchup

Joel Embiid playing is very important for Philadelphia 76ers in this game. The season series between the two teams is tied, so this game could decide the tiebreaker if needed.The Sixers come into this game with a 40-33 record, which puts them seventh in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets are just behind with a 39-34 record in eighth place. A win here would help the Sixers stay ahead.Looking at the roster, the Sixers still have some players out.

Kelly Oubre Jr. is out with an elbow sprain and may be checked again around April 1. Johni Broome is also out after knee surgery. Tyrese Maxey is out with a right pinkie finger tendon injury, but he could return soon.On the positive side, Paul George is back after his suspension. Players like Cameron Payne and Jared McCain are helping the team, but Embiid’s return gives the team more balance.

Season Performance and Game Outlook

In the 2025-26 season, Joel Embiid has played 34 games and is averaging about 26 points, 7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 51% from the field.When he was out, the team had to depend more on players like VJ Edgecombe and Payne. Now that he is back, the team looks more stable on both offense and defense.The Hornets, led by LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams, will still be a tough opponent, especially at home in the Spectrum Center. The game is set to start at 7:00 PM ET.Also read: Is LaMelo Ball playing tonight vs the Philadelphia 76ers? Latest update on the Charlotte Hornets star's injury report (March 28, 2026)With both teams close in the standings and the season series tied, this game is important for playoff positioning. Joel Embiid playing makes a big difference and could decide how the game turns out.